Raspberry ketone (4-(4-hydroxyphenyl) butan-2-one; RK) is a major aromatic compound of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and is marketed on the Internet as a food supplement. The FDA classified it as GRAS (Generally Recognized as safe) food additives during the 1960s. The structure of RK is similar to the structures of capsaicin and synephrine, compounds known to exert anti-obese actions and alter the lipid metabolism. It was shown, that RK also decreased the weights and hepatic triacylglycerol content in rodents after they had been increased by a high-fat diet. Recently was discovered, that RK may exert anti-adipogenic effects through modulation of the HO-1/Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. Investigations of raspberry ketone in quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models indicated potential cardiotoxic effects and potential effects on reproduction/development. Taking into account the high intake via supplements, the compound's toxic potential should be clarified with further experimental studies. In UK the pure compound is regarded as novel food requiring authorisation prior to marketing but raspberry ketone is not withdrawn from Internet sites from this country.

4-Carvomenthenol (Terpinen-4-ol) is an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. 4-Carvomenthenol is a fragrance ingredient used in decorative cosmetics, fine fragrances, shampoos, toilet soaps and other toiletries as well as in non-cosmetic products such as household cleaners and detergents. Its use worldwide is in the region of 1–10 metric tonnes per annum. The maximum skin level that results from the use of 4-carvementhenol in formulae that go into fine fragrances has been reported to be 0.13%. 4-Carvomenthenol has been shown to have antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal effects as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. It is a putative anitcancer agent. 4-carvementhenol exerts its antitumor effects by triggering caspase-dependent apoptosis in human melanoma cells or by inducing necrotic cell death and cell-cycle arrest in mouse mesothelioma and melanomacell lines without affecting normal cells. Caspase-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction is the mechanism of terpinen-4-ol-induced apoptosis in nonsmall lung cancer cells. Down-regulation of Bcl-2, XIAP and survivin suggests that ter-pinen-4-ol increases the susceptibility of NSCLC cells toapoptosis induction. Notably, the ability of terpinen-4-ol to induce apoptosis in NSCLC cells is p53-dependent. It has also been shown that the growth of s.c. xenograft tumors was remarkably inhibited by intratumoral injection of terpinen-4-ol, indicating that the agent also has potential for clinical anticancer activity.